Put Agnipath scheme on hold, demands Congress to government

New Delhi:  After the protest in various states over the new recruitment scheme of the government for defence forces ‘Agnipath’, Congress on Thursday demanded that it should be kept in abeyance.
The party said the scheme is controversial, carries multiple risks, subverts the long-standing traditions and ethos of the armed forces and there is no guarantee that the soldiers recruited under the scheme will be better trained and motivated to defend the country.
Addressing a press conference, P Chidambaram and Sachin Pilot said that retired defence officers have opposed the scheme and believe that many serving officers share the same reservations about it.
Congress said, “given the situation on our borders, it is imperative that we have soldiers in our defence forces who are young, well-trained, motivated, happy, satisfied and assured of their future. The Agnipath scheme does not advance any of these objectives.” It is our duty to warn the country of the consequences of a hastily drawn-up scheme. “We would urge the government to keep the Agnipath scheme in abeyance, hold wide consultations with serving and retired officers, and address the issues of quality, efficiency and economy without compromising on any of the three considerations,” it added.
Also Read Protest against ‘Agnipath’ turns violent in MP’s Gwalior The party said that its concern is that the Agnipath soldier will be trained for six months and will serve for another 42 months when 75 per cent of the recruits will be discharged.